New York's auto show displays its clout

Car manufacturers pull out all the stops for the last major event of the season.

March 21, 2008|By Steven Cole Smith, Sentinel Automotive Editor

For a city where the most popular vehicle is a bright yellow Ford Crown Victoria, the New York International Auto Show carries a lot of clout in the automotive industry, in no small part because it's the last major domestic auto show of the season.

First is Los Angeles, then Detroit, Chicago and finally New York -- if a manufacturer wants to introduce a new model in front of a big press contingent, New York is the last chance until Los Angeles starts the cycle again in late November.

The New York show opens to the public today at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, and runs through March 30. But press previews ended Thursday, so here's a look at what New Yorkers will be lusting after in person for the next 10 days, likely delivered there by those Crown Victoria taxicabs.

*2009 Nissan Maxima: Since Nissan moved the Altima up a notch for the 2002 model year, the Maxima has sort of floundered, not really deluxe enough to compete with near-luxury vehicles, but too pricey to compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, a mission now assigned to the Altima. For 2009, though, Nissan ratchets the Maxima up to true brand flagship status, with substantially sportier looks and performance credentials. The engine remains the good 'ol 3.5-liter V-6, but now with 290 horsepower, up 35 from the 2008 model. Look for it this summer.

*2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe: When the convertible Solstice debuted as a concept car, a Solstice hardtop was shown as well, but only now is Pontiac giving us a look at the production version, due in early 2009. This model looks a bit different from the concept, but is plenty handsome, and should appeal to those customers not interested in a roadster. Even so, a removable roof panel will allow for some open-air fun.

*2009 Acura TSX: Based largely on the European version of the Honda Accord, the TSX gets a makeover for '09, but it remains pretty familiar. It's larger and wider but still powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which means that as before, a V-6 version of the U.S. Honda Accord will be faster and cheaper. Still, the sportier TSX has its fans, though they may have been hoping for more changes. Look for it by May.

*2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: The Korean manufacturer continues to add to its model mix with a two-door version of the Genesis sedan, which will be the brand's flagship. The rear-drive Genesis coupe is sort of a Korean version of the Ford Mustang, powered by a V-6 engine with a potent 310 horsepower, more than the Mustang's current V-8. Hyundai will also offer a four-cylinder version. We'll see it in a year.

*2009 Pontiac G8 GXP: Designed and built in Australia by GM's affiliate there, Holden, the G8 is a big, powerful rear-wheel-drive sedan, and the GXP version is even more powerful, with a 6.2-liter, 402-horsepower V-8, which is 41 more horsepower than the G8 GT that Pontiac has already debuted. Since the GXP's engine is essentially the same one offered in the Chevrolet Corvette, it won't hurt General Motor's feelings at all if we refer to the GXP as a four-door 'Vette. On sale late this year.

*Kia Koup concept: Is there room in the marketplace for a handsome, inexpensive little two-door performance coupe? Kia will be looking closely at the reaction to the Koup concept, which was designed in California and appears to be entirely buildable should the company give it the green light.

*2009 Honda Fit: Yes, the Fit is a recent arrival to the U.S. market, imported to counter the similar Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. So why do we get a new version so soon? Because the one we got had been on sale in other markets for years, and rather than wait on this new one, Honda imported the older one as a place holder. That said, the 2009 model is not exactly a leap forward: It's bigger, but not that different from the 2008 model.

*And in other news: Dodge showed the lesser versions of its throwback Challenger, which, for 2008, comes only in the top-of-the-line model, the SRT8. For 2009, we get a V-6 Challenger and a V-8 model that is less potent, and less expensive, than the SRT8's 6.1-liter Hemi . . . Mercedes-Benz debuted the ultra-clean Bluetec diesel engines for its SUV lineup, replacing the existing CDI engines. The advantage? The Bluetec can be sold in all 50 states, even California . . . Scion, Toyota's funky little brother, has lost some of its funkiness this past year. A concept called the Hako sought to regain a bit: The designer called it "the sporty version of a box."